Ray James Earl

July 9, 1969

AIRTEL

1 - Mr. HcDonough

TO: SAC, Memphis (44-1987)

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FROM: Director, FBI (44-78861) PERSONAL ATTENTION :

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It is noted that on 3-10-69, James Earl Ray
entered a plea of guilty to charges of murder in state
court, Memphis, Tennessee, and received a sentence of 99
years. Attorneys for Ray then filed a motion for a new
trial and on 5-26-69, the state court judge denied this
motion.

Recent news accounts state that Chief Judge
Mark A. Walker of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals,
Covington, Tennessee, granted a petition submitted to him
on 6-25-69, by Ray's attorneys to have the court review
the trial record of Ray'G conviction and the Appeals Court
will rule on 7-15-69, in Knoxville, whether it should
consider an appeal by Ray for a new trial.

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You are requested to immediately ascertain through
your appropriate state sources the current status of state
prosecutive action on this matter. This should include
information as to what the nature of proceedings will be
if appeal granted or if denied what further legal recourse
Ray will have and any other details of pertinence. You
should ascertain from the prosecuting attorney what his
evaluation or observations are relative to current or
subsequent legal actions on the part of Ray and/or his
attorneys.

Handle and submit reply promptly.

Lonrh _

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NQTE : This is for the purpose of determining the status af

U/ - current and subsequent legal proceedings in^jthis .matter—

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Jill 9 1969

Tl'LrTYPr UNIT

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